What IS Steampunk… and What Is Definitely NOT?

��️ What Is Steampunk… and What Its Definitely NOT?

So you are attending a Steampunk event, wedding or party and you kinda know what "Steampunk" is but need a little guidance with what to wear and how to accessorise etc.

So, here’s your no-nonsense guide to what makes something truly
steampunk, and what absolutely doesn’t.

✅ What IS Steampunk?
1. A Retro-Futuristic Imagination

Steampunk is generally inspired by how people in the Victorian 1800s might have imagined “the future”—through the lens of the technology(Steam and mechanical)and fashion trends of their time.
Think steam-powered gadgets, brass machines, flying contraptions, and opulent hot air
balloons.
Think Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Victorian explorers and Time Travellers.

No internet, no solar panels, no digital vibes. And no computers—unless they’re styled up in a Victorian aesthetic.
2. Victorian Style + Industrial = Steampunk Aesthetic
The classic Steampunk look fuses elegant Victorian fashion with mechanical, industrial
elements:
· Corsets, lace gloves and long coats
· Pocket watches, waistcoats, vintage canes
· Top hats, bowler hats, aviator caps, cowboy-style steampunk hats (think Wild Wild
West),  Vintage military caps and Sherlock Holmes hats
· All types of goggles—except swimming goggles
· Brass, copper, rivets, gears, and clockwork details
· Airships, steam trains, mechanical limbs
· Antique canes, parasols, pirate pistols
· Men’s ascot tie cravats and vintage-style suspenders
· Old-school eyewear: small or medium round sunglasses or spectacles
It’s history with a twist—equal parts romance and rebellion.
3. A Subculture and Creative Movement
Steampunk is more than a fashion style—it’s a mindset.

It celebrates:
· Creativity
· Craftsmanship
· Individuality
· Reimagining the world

Steampunk aesthetic features in literature, cosplay, music, visual art, weddings, and home décor.
4. DIY and Upcycling Friendly

True Steampunk embraces Maker Culture:

· Embellish a top hat with gears, chains, or feathers
· Upcycle a glass bottle with charms, leather scraps, or paint
The goal? Make it look unique and mechanical—like it could almost work.
5. Inclusive and Inventive
While rooted in Victorian Europe, modern steampunk welcomes global creativity.
For example, South African steampunk often blends colonial-era references with African
design elements for a bold and culturally rich style.
6. The Steampunk Colour Palette
Steampunk style leans into colours that feel both industrial and vintage-luxurious:
· Metallics: brass, bronze, copper, antique gold, antique silver
· Leathers: chestnut, oxblood, deep chocolate, tan
· Neutrals: ivory, cream, stone, grey
· Jewel tones: burgundy, emerald, navy, forest green
· Black: grounding and dramatic, especially in Gothic-inspired styles
· Antique silver is welcome too!

and now for❌ What ISN’T Steampunk!

1.Just Anything Old or Vintage is not automatically Steampunk!

Not all vintage = Steampunk.
A 1950s poodle skirt or 1970s bell-bottoms are vintage, yes—but  definitely not Steampunk.
Steampunk is firmly rooted in 19th-century aesthetics and the Industrial Age.

2. Gothic Without the Gears
A black lace dress can be gothic.
Add brass goggles, mechanical wings, or a corset—now it’s Steampunk.

3. Pirates, Fairies, and Renaissance Costumes

They’re fun and can cross over into Steampunk (like airship pirates!),
but not every corset-and-boots combo is Steampunk.
The magic formula is: Mechanics + Victoriana + Imagination

4. Just Gluing Gears on It
Slapping a gear on a handbag doesn’t make it Steampunk.
Real steampunk designs blend function, form, and fantasy.

5. Fast Fashion Knockoffs
Mass-produced plastic gear prints or cheaply made accessories?
Not steampunk.
True steampunk values individuality, quality, and handcrafted details.
6. Colours That Don’t Belong
Avoid:
· Neon pinks, lime greens, or electric blues
· Glossy metallic plastics
· Sugary pastels
If it looks like it belongs at a rave, candy shop, or sci-fi alien planet… It’s not steampunk.
Steampunk is about warmth, depth, and texture—not highlighter pens or superhero suits.
�� Closing Thoughts
Steampunk is a celebration of craft, curiosity, and alternate histories.
It invites you to:
· Build your own aesthetic
· Invent your own story
· Dress like the Victorian Pasts vison of the Future

⚙️ Ready to Gear Up now?
At our store, you’ll find:
· Handcrafted accessories and stylish eyewear
· Unique Steampunk  hats
· Curated Steampunk, Cyberpunk and Punk-inspired jewellery
· One-of-a-kind costume elements and a whole  range of exciting stuff.

 

So whether you’re a seasoned time-traveller or a curious  niche explorer—you’re most definitely welcome here!

Finally!

This post is meant as a general guide and fun  entertainment. Our collection includes
other ‘punk’, fantasy, Cyberpunk  and Mad Hatter-style items too—for your creative pleasure and convenience.